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distrain

[dih-streyn]Law.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to constrain by seizing and holding goods, etc., in pledge for rent, damages, etc., or in order to obtain satisfaction of a claim.
  2. to levy a distress upon.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to levy a distress.
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Origin of distrain

1250–1300; Middle English distreinen < Anglo-French, Old French destreindre < Latin distringere to stretch out, equivalent to di- di-2 + stringere to draw tight; see strain1
Related formsdis·train·a·ble, adjectivedis·train·ee, noundis·train·ment, noundis·trai·nor, dis·train·er, nounun·dis·trained, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for distrainee

distrainee

noun
  1. law a person whose property has been seized by way of distraint
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distrain

verb
  1. law to seize (personal property) by way of distress
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Derived Formsdistrainable, adjectivedistrainment, noundistrainor or distrainer, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French destreindre, from Latin distringere to impede, from dis- 1 + stringere to draw tight
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012